#MWC16: LG launches smartphone, VR devices

On Sunday, LG announced its newest flagship the G5 at this year’s Mobile World Congress or MWC, which is a combination of the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry and a conference featuring leading executives representing mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors and content owners from across the world.

The South Korean electronics company took the wraps off the G5 handset which sports a metallic, unibody design with a side-mounted volume rocker, and a power button built into the fingerprint sensor on the back. The entire device is wrapped in round edges which LG calls the “3D Arc”.

The phone also has a 5.3 inch display, two front cameras that allow a user to take a 180 degree picture, and an 8 megapixel selfie camera

A cool feature also included in the phone is removable bottom cap of the phone which allows you to a replaceable battery and also the possibility of adding a number of modules such as a camera grip or a hi-fi audio module.

The hi-fi audio module is a dedicated audio module from Bang & Olufsen, called LG Hi-Fi Plus. This includes a 32-bit DAC and a dedicated 3.5 mm headphones port that can also clip onto the phone to enhance the quality of audio coming from the device.

LG also showed off the LG Cam Plus, a device that can clip onto your phone and give it functionality similar to a traditional camera. It has a wheel to scroll as well as a button that can be pressed to take a picture.

A new smartphone was not the only device launched by LG. The electronics firm also unveiled the LG 360 Cam, a handheld camera that allows people to take 360 degree video, the LG 360 viewer, a virtual reality (VR) headset that look like glasses and the LG Rolling Cam, a small soccer ball-sized device that can be controlled via a smartphone and roam around the house. It has a camera built in which can be used for surveillance when you are away from the property. It also allows a user to control anything in the house using infrared such as the TV.

LG will be hoping the release of the modular G5 with accessories as well as the new virtual reality devices, will help open up new revenue streams and create a ecosystem around its devices.

While there is no confirmation on pricing, the LG G5 is expected to go on sale in April. While a phone comprising of these specs will certainly not be cheap, the question on everyone’s minds is exactly how expensive the device will be. This includes the accessories such as the camera grip and the Hi-Fi audio module as well.

The G5 is the phone LG hopes will take on Samsung’s Galaxy S7 and Apple’s iPhone 7 and reverse its mobile fortunes which have been taking a beating lately